Absolute Yorkies

I like veggies, mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  My husband and I are trying to eat a healthy diet and we’ve been eating A LOT of green vegetables like celery.  My Yorkies love vegetables and celery is no exception.  But is celery a safe treat for dogs instead of a commercial doggy treat?

Yes!  Celery is a healthy alternative to manufactured doggy treats.  It contains phosphorous, sodium, iron, vitamins A, B and C, calcium and potassium. Celery also contains a phytochemical called 3-n-butyl phthalide that is believed to inhibit the growth of tumors.  ***Please note:  If your Yorkie has a tumor or any other illness, NEVER change her diet without consulting your Vet.***

Celery has a little more sodium in it than some other vegetables but if your Yorkie is not on any special diet, giving her celery as a treat now and then is ok.  Make sure you CHOP THE CELERY INTO LITTLE BITE SIZE PIECES before you give it to your Yorkie.

What vegetables do you give your Yorkie as a treat?  See you on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love food and treats, mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  My husband and I love food!  We like trying different restaurants with diverse menus.  We can adjust to quick changes in our diet but what about our Yorkies?  How do we change their diets?

Change your Yorkie’s diet gradually.  Mix the new food with the regular food and gradually switch to the new food.  Sudden changes in diet, including doggy treats, can cause your Yorkie to have a change in bowel habits (going to the bathroom more), diarrhea and sometimes vomiting.  Always feed your Yorkie a high quality dog food and low fat doggy treats.

Feeding table scraps is a no-no!  If you suddenly start feeding your Yorkie scraps from the table, her digestive system including her pancreas could be thrown right off balance.

Just a quick note – if you’re travelling to a different area remember to bring along bottled water or some water from your home to mix with the new water when you reach your destination.  A sudden change in water can also upset your Yorkie’s tummy and bowels.

See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love PINK, mommy and daddy!  Love Zoie xo

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  We’re back!  My parents have gone home and we’re ready to get back into our regular writing routine.  I ate so many snacks and treats last week that I’m afraid to step on the scale!

My mother always told me, “Everything in moderation” and that includes treats for your Yorkies too.  I know our Yorkies are just so darn cute but we have to resist the urge to give them little treats too often.  We give our Yorkies a low fat doggy treat once a week – on Fridays. 

Choose a dog treat that’s low in fat and protein.  We like Wellness WellBites Turkey and Duck Soft and Chewy Treats (15% protein and 7% fat).  We cut up one treat and split it between our three Yorkies.  Giving them small bits is safer so they don’t choke on any big pieces.

Let us know what treats your Yorkie likes!  See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.  ***PS*** Modern Dog Magazine’s Giveaway is the “Neater Eater” system (prize changes tomorrow)!

[Read more →]

Is it supper time yet mommy?

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Food glorious food!  Our Yorkies love to eat.  They do a little happy dance just before I put down their bowls.  We’ve talked a bit about kibble and special food for senior dogs but what about feeding your adult Yorkie?  Do you have a product that your Yorkies really like?

We used to make our own fresh dog food by browning lean ground beef, rice and veggies and freezing it.  But we ran out of freezer space!  So as an alternative, we found Canine Life^®, “a balanced all natural fresh food diet.”  We’re not a paid endorser of this product.  Our Yorkies just like it and it’s as close to homemade as they’re going to get! 

I buy the pre-made regular muffins made with turkey and veggies that have been cooked by Canine Life right in muffin tins!  They come frozen in packs of six or twelve.  We’ve never switched from turkey to the other meat or veggie choices and they still get excited like it’s the first time they’ve ever eaten this food. 

We don’t leave the fresh food out all day.  We put the bowls down, they eat it and the dishes go right into the dishwasher.  However, we do leave dry kibble out all day.

Do you feed your Yorkies a fresh food diet?  Leave us your comments.  Come back on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

I love my comfy bed mommy!

TODAY’S TIDBIT: We’re celebrating senior Yorkies this week on AbsoluteYorkies! Yorkies in their more mature years can tend to gain weight because they may not be exercising as much if they suffer from arthritis or other joint issues. So choosing a diet low in fat is essential for your senior Yorkie.

Read the label on the dog food bag or can and check out the percentage of fat. The lower the fat percentage the better.  We like Fromm’s White Fish and Potato  kibble that has a low fat content (11% fat) and 23% protein (look for food with a protein content of less than 26%). Fromm’s Reduced Activity Senior Gold is also a good choice.  Most brand name dog food manufacturers produce a food for senior dogs.  If you’re concerned about what to feed your senior Yorkie, talk to your Vet. 

Some senior dog foods contain glucosamine designed to help your Yorkie’s joints. And as your Yorkie gets older, she may lose some teeth so choosing a soft food with a low fat content would be the better choice.

Remember: food with a low fat content will help your senior Yorkie maintain a healthy weight. See you on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

Where's Santa?

TODAY’S TIDBIT: It’s the countdown to Christmas everyone! Fill your kitchen with the aroma of fresh baked Yorkie cookies. We’ve talked a lot about what not to feed your Yorkie this holiday season so we thought we’d share a tasty treat recipe from Adanta Yorkshire Terriers to satisfy your little Yorkie’s sweet tooth. Bon Appetite!

***DO NOT FEED WHOLE COOKIES OR LARGE CHUNKS TO YOUR YORKIE!***

Yorkies tend to swallow food whole and get pieces lodged in their throats so be sure to crumble the cookies before feeding them to your Yorkie.

Yummy Yorkie Peanut Butter Treats
1½ cups of flour
¼ cup of wheat germ
¾ cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup of honey
½ cup of peanut butter
¼ cup canola oil
½ cup of water

Combine all ingredients until mixed. Scoop out dough with a tablespoon and roll into balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a fork, flatten balls to ¼ thick. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes approximately 20 cookies. These cookies freeze well.

Four more sleeps till Christmas!  See you on Wednesday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

[Read more →]

TODAY’S TIDBIT:  Have you ever read the label on your Yorkie’s kibble bag?  The old saying, “you are what you eat” applies to your Yorkie too!  Next time you’re passing the cupboard where you keep her food, take a look.  Pay close attention to the “guaranteed analysis” part of the label on the bag or can. 

What’s so important about that item?  The Pet Food Association of Canada defines guaranteed analysis as, “the minimum or maximum nutritional quantities of key nutrients within the package of food.”  The percentage of protein is really important to Yorkie owners because Yorkies have a hard time digesting protein.  We try and stick with dry and wet food that has no more than 26% protein content.

The temptation to share table scraps with our furry friends is undeniable but we’re not doing them any favours by feeding them people food.  Table scraps are loaded with sugar, salt and fat. And some foods like chocolate are highly toxic to your Yorkie.  Avoid onions, grapes and raisins too because they can make your Yorkie really sick.

Did you find this information helpful?  Comments are always welcome.  Check back on Friday for TODAY’S TIDBIT.

I'm ready to go mommy!

[Read more →]